This city has found a unique way to discourage SUVs
The cyclists and the pedestrians are happy about it
Today’s eco snapshot👇🏽
Paris’ new plan: Fewer SUVs and more cycles
Startup of the week: Earthbound
5 brands that sustainably stand out
Some good news from around the world
3 ways I can help you on your sustainability journey
🚲 Paris’ new plan: Fewer SUVs and more cycles
Paris has found a way to discourage gas-guzzling SUVs from plying on its streets. It has tripled the parking charges for them.
While parking a non-SUV in the city costs 6 euros an hour, the rate for SUVs will be 18 euros an hour. If someone decides to park for the entire day, it would be 200 euros, an amount that’s not small by any standards.
This will be applied to cars of 1.6 tonnes or more. Even electric vehicles of 2 tonnes or more will fall under this rule.
Fewer SUVs on streets would free up more space, making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
This also aligns well with Paris’ long-term plans to become a fully bikeable city.
I think it’s a great way to disincentivize people from a planet-polluting activity without investing a lot in the infrastructure 👏🏼
Time for the quiz of the week ⌛
Answer at the end of the newsletter. No one (including me) can see your response so feel free to vote 😉
✨ Startup of the week: Earthbound
Soleful consequences…The footwear industry is hurting the planet. Sneakers are often mass-produced using harmful materials like synthetic textiles, synthetic rubber, and plastics. When these sneakers are discarded, they release microplastics that pollute our environment and water sources, affecting our food. Leather also has its issues, with toxic processes that pollute waterways.
Sustainable steps…Brothers Hrvoje and Domagoj Boljar wanted to change that. They inherited a family footwear business and turned it around into a sustainable footwear company, Earthbound™. It is a sustainable alternative to traditional footwear.
It is the only sneakers in the world to hold the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX label for the entire product- certifying that it contains zero toxic substances
It is made from New Zealand wool, natural rubber latex, and hemp.
97% of its materials are natural and bio-based and it is planning to replace the remaining 3% soon.
Leave a greener footprint…Earthbound sneakers are crafted in Croatia and the entire manufacturing process minimizes the usage of synthetic materials. It recently became the first Croatian company to be B Corp certified.
✅ Brands that sustainably stand out
🌂 Blunt Umbrellas: An umbrella that would keep you dry without harming the planet.
🪑 Cocoli: Finding a new home for your old furniture.
☕ Coffee Kreis: Converting discarded coffee grounds into everyday consumer products.
🍸 Remark Glass: Upcycling glass into new products.
🎒 The Yellow Bag: Bags made from cotton and jute by women from underserved communities.
Engage with hundreds of sustainable brands like these by upgrading to a paid subscription. It comes with access to a database of planet-friendly brands worldwide.
😹 Some Good News
EU Empowers Consumers with New Repair Law: The EU recently approved a new law that empowers consumers to repair broken electronics like phones and washing machines within the 2-year warranty period. This means that instead of replacing products, consumers can now have them fixed.
Sparks Fly as Non-Electric Car Imports Hit the Brakes: Ethiopia bans non-electric car imports, prioritizing electric mobility to reduce reliance on gasoline. Efforts include EV charging infrastructure and tax exemptions for electric cars. A clear step towards sustainable transportation in East Africa!
Dutch Pension Fund Ditches Fossil Fuels for a Greener Future: PFZW, a Dutch healthcare workers' pension fund, recently divested from fossil fuel companies such as Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies due to their lack of a credible climate strategy. This move aligns with their commitment to disinvest from any fossil fuel company that fails to have a "convincing and verifiable" strategy to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement by 2024.
🌎 3 ways I can help you
📞 Interested in chatting about sustainability and climate change? Book a free call here
✍🏼 Want to be featured in this newsletter and a LinkedIn post? Submit your story
💁🏼 If you’re a planet-friendly brand, I can help you with your blogs, newsletters, case studies, and whitepapers
Click that 💚 if this added some value to you.
Enjoy your weekend, and see you next week😊